NFL Player News

The Browns didn’t have a choice after what can only be described as a dumpster fire of a 2019. Promoted from RBs coach obscurity to offensive coordinator midway through 2018, Kitchens helped interim coach Gregg Williams guide the long-suffering Browns to a 5-3 finish. By nearly every account, Kitchens did an excellent job mentoring Baker Mayfield and sparking the Browns’ moribund offense. Promoted to head coach over Williams, Kitchens’ progress did not carry over, with the 45-year-old rookie appearing overwhelmed from the jump, struggling with play-calling and leadership in equal measure. By the end of the season, he had publicly feuded with many players, failing to elicit votes of confidence. Taking a chance on Kitchens was an admirable, unconventional gamble, but it resulted in unmitigated disaster. Expect the Browns to search for a steady hand a la Mike McCarthy, or perhaps a Mayfield whisperer like Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley.

Brady helped helm the Chargers’ passing offense to a 10th-ranked 7.6 yards per attempt average this season. He spent five seasons in various passing-game and offense-related roles with the Colts before serving as an offensive consultant (2022) and senior offensive assistant (2023) for the Eagles. His single season with the Chargers has evidently impressed folks in the Patriots’ organization and he is now a name to watch in this hiring cycle.

The Jaguars have interviewed eight head coach candidates thus far and the two Lions coordinators appear to hold the top two spots on the ownership’s wish list. While Glenn is considered a highly sought-after coach in his own right, it stands to reason that Johnson is the organization’s top choice.

The meeting reportedly took place on Tuesday but impressively remained under wraps until Friday evening, perhaps a sign of things to come with new no-nonsense head coach Mike Vrabel at the helm. Brown worked for the Panthers in 2023 and the Bears in 2024, receiving three in-season promotions of sorts during that span. Brown was given play-calling duties for three games in the Panthers’ failed 2-15 season as team leadership searched for answers. Brown then began the 2024 season as the Bears’ passing game coordinator before rising to offensive coordinator and eventually the interim head coaching position. Studying under Vrabel for a season or two could give Brown the mentoring he needs to officially make the leap into the NFL’s head coaching ranks once and for all.

Schefter also said that he thinks both Johnson and Jerry Jones have “other ideas” for this offseason’s hiring cycle. Schefter then refocused the conversation on the Raiders and Bears, saying “I know everybody’s got Ben Johnson anointed to the Raiders... I’m not in that camp right now. Why is everybody ignoring Chicago?” Schefter carefully added that Johnson could still end up as the Raiders’ new head coach but highlighted the AFC West’s highly competitive nature and the Raiders’ undesirable quarterback situation. The NFC North is certainly not a soft division but the Bears do have the requisite skill position players to hit the ground running in 2025.

The move was widely reported this morning, though Schefter noted that a deal wasn’t officially done until later in the day. After winning three Super Bowls in Kansas City, Borgonzi is now tasked with turning things around Tennessee, starting with the No. 1 overall pick. He will presumably get a shot at hand-picking his franchise quarterback to go along with a young head coach in Brian Callahan. Though it’s not an easy job by any means, Borgonzi walks into a situation that gives him plenty of resources to work with, which is more than many first-year general managers can say.

After practicing in full this week, Watson is good to go for Kansas City’s Divisional Round matchup with the Texans. Watson played nearly every snap of the Chiefs’ first five games before going down with the ankle injury. He had six pass breakups and 21 total tackles through six appearances. Watson’s return will bolster an already-strong Kansas City defense.

Rogers’ NFL career includes stints with the Commanders, Eagles and Falcons. He also notably suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in May 2023. He now gets a chance to carve out a backup role with the Bills.

Higbee left LA’s Wild Card Round win over the Vikings with the chest injury. Per head coach Sean McVay, Higbee went to the hospital after “spitting up a little bit of blood” following the game. It was apparently not a big deal as Higbee logged a pair of limited practices before being upgraded to a full session on Friday. Ready to go for the Divisional Round, Higbee will be a touchdown-or-bust play at tight end this week.

Pickett practiced in full all week, indicating his ribs issue is no longer meaningfully limiting him. The Eagles’ quarterback depth chart has returned to full strength.

Brown practiced in full on Friday after practicing in a limited capacity on Thursday. The promising upgrade bodes positively for his involvement although his knee issue should not be overlooked. Brown’s presence makes life easier for the rest of the Eagles’ skill position players regardless of his productivity.